“The last couple of months have been tremendously difficult for us,” Jerry Wade said as he read from a prepared statement. “We have been so incredibly shock about the loss of David that most of us have been unable to publicly talk about it.”

He continued, “Thank you to the people who lined up the streets for David’s funeral procession. I can’t tell you how much it meant to me and my family to see this community stand with us in solidarity as David was being carried to his final resting place. Your presence touched our hearts, deeply.”

“My family and I are deeply saddened to have to bear this torch, but rest assure we are committed to seeing the full extent of the law carried out on the person who wrongfully took David away from us,” Jerry Wade said.

“Let there be no question that we fully support District Attorney (Laura) Thomas’ decision to pursue the death penalty. I have every faith that the justice system will deliver what my brother and those left behind missing him rightfully deserve. The scales will be weighed and evil will reap with what it has sown.”

Wade finished his statement by saying, “There are tough times ahead for my family still, but our hearts will be carried by so many.”